RealDawg.com continues its 2022 season recap series of “Expectation versus Reality”. We’ve already looked at how Washington’s ground game bested all expectations. Then we looked at Tight Ends, noting their down marker-moving abilities. Now we’re going to look at one of the nation’s top passing offenses.
Given the talent-rich playmakers on offense, expectations were high in 2021 for Washington. However, they greatly underperformed largely because of an offensive scheme that strayed from its strengths.
Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, Ja’Lynn Polk, Giles Jackson, Devin Culp… between all of Washington’s pass catchers, receivers, tight ends, and running backs Washington’s passing offense in 2021 accounted for about 2,400 passing yards.
With a new receivers coach, new quarterback, new offensive coordinator, and a new head coach how long would it take to change UW’s offensive identity and reverse its course?
Expectations were high when compared to the previous year but still tempered after being burned.
The wide receiver position coming into the 2022 season was a bit of an unknown because its ceiling was relatively untested. Who carried the Husky passing offense in 2020? Cade Otton.
That season Dylan Morris threw for 2,458 yards, completing 61-percent of his passes and that’s while being hamstrung by the previous coaching staff scheme.
Play-calling seemingly ignored a talented receivers room, instead, opting for a power-run game. This made for a poorly managed offensive line, and inconsistent and often predictable play-calling.
The Huskies had a trio of wideouts who were highly regarded prospects when entering the program and had made some plays during the dreadful 2021 season. Newcomer Ja’Lynn Polk was hampered by a chest injury sustained on the first play from scrimmage of the season in 2021. Odunze and McMillan were on the field for many offense snaps and showed off high ceilings.
Along with Terrell Bynum, Odunze and McMillan made plays in the passing game but also had some growing pains in the form of drops. However, many of said miscues were from poorly placed balls or unnecessary velocities.
Expectation: The consensus was that on paper Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, had all-conference written all over them. Their production would be naturally elevated by being a year older but another step forward would come with the addition of Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb calling plays.
Additionally, an upgrade would likely occur at the receiving coach position with JaMarcus Shepherd.
With a year under their belts as some of the go-to guys, that pass-catching duo of Odunze and McMillan were expected to make the natural jump to being more reliable in every facet of the game.
Other receivers namely Polk, Davis, and Jackson plus tight ends Jack Westover and Culp, along with running back transfer Wayne Taulapapa would force opponents to defend all zones of the field.
However, what would be needed is a passer who could hit all of those zones. Nobody truly knew if it would be 5-star Sam Huard, Dylan Morris, or an often-injured Indiana transfer that nobody has heard of.
Reality: The receiver room is arguably the deepest position group in recent memory. Both Odunze and McMillan eclipsed the 1,000 receiving-yard mark and were some of the best at their position in the conference. Rome Odunze ended up as an All-American. Ja’Lynn Polk was electric all season long with almost 700 yards and 6 touchdowns including 153 yards, and a 3-touchdown night against then-number 11 Michigan State.
But it went deeper than that. Giles Jackson consistently found weak spots in the defense and got crucial first downs throughout the season. Taj Davis made the most important catch of the year down the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Oregon which ended up being the final touchdown of the game.
In addition to the two steps forward mentioned above, another giant leap for the receivers came with Shephard rewiring their brains from “receivers” to “takers”.
Another nudge forward was in downfield blocking for their fellow takers.
Westover, Culp, and Taulapapa all had chain-moving moments combining for 84 receptions for 833 yards and 3 TDs.
More than the pure numbers, the pass-catchers were reliable in bringing in most balls that came their way, got loose from defenders, and blocked well on the outside.
Most thought that the receiver room was going to be improved, but even the wildest room with production up and down the depth chart showed out to be the best in the history of the program.
Other receivers namely Polk, Jackson plus tight ends Westover and Culp, along with running back transfer Wayne Taulapapa helped to elevate the Washington passing attack.
Expectation VS Reality Grade: A
Overall Position Grade: A
